FARMERS have raised over £2,000 by travelling across North Wales in classic tractors to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.

The group, which consisted of Anglesey’s Gwynfor Rowlands and his friends Glyn Williams, Dave Pritchard, Dafydd Humphreys and Simon Millichamp set out on the challenge last month.

The men aimed to drive down to Tywyn via Sarn and Llanbedr, back up to Dolgellau and cross over to Ruthin via Bala. They planned on returning to Penysarn via Llanrwst and Betws y Coed, but due to Conwy being in lockdown the friends had to cancel their plans to continue the tractor run from Ruthin to Llanrwst.

The final leg of the journey saw the men ride through Cerrigydrudion following the A5 back home to Ynys Môn.

The group took to the road in a variety of tractors – Gwynfor Rowlands, in the big V8 tractor, Dafydd Humphreys who owns the New Holland, Glyn Williams in the Cae, Simon Millichamp riding the British Leyland, the oldest tractor dated to 1974, and David Pritchard in a John Deere model.

The men hoped to raise £1,000 during the seven-day classic tractor run for a local charity that was ‘close to all their hearts’.

The whole fundraiser was carefully planned, including the route and accommodation.

Speaking of the group smashing its £1,000 target by raising £2034.35, Sioned Jones, who helped organise the tractor run, said: “We are over the moon to have raised so much, as our original estimation was around the £1,000 mark.

“They had so much fun and the welcome received by the locals along the way was truly heart-warming. We even had two other tractors join us along the way on the Saturday to Sarn Mellteyrn.”

Lynne Garlick, North Wales Fundraising Manager, said: “A huge thank you to everyone involved in the event. Despite the current restrictions, the team continued the tractor run via a slightly different route to raise over £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance. Like other charities across the UK, we have seen a significant decrease in funds due to the current pandemic.

"The continued support by fundraisers like Gwynfor, Dafydd, Glyn, Simon, David and Sioned will help keep our helicopters flying. Thank you to everyone who supported them and donated to such an important cause.”